December 26, 2017 - Over $431,000 was awarded from the Bradley Henry Barnes & Leila Upson Barnes Memorial Trust to six organizations working to improve the health and wellbeing of Southington residents. The organizations, three of which received continued funding from the Barnes Memorial Trust, provide programs that enhance community wellness, support local seniors and improve access to behavioral health services.

Three grants were awarded to organizations for programs that are being funded by the Barnes Memorial Trust for the first time. The grants are:

• $115,500 to the Alzheimer’s Resource Center of Connecticut, Inc., to establish a Dementia Friendly Southington Initiative whose goal is to decrease the stigma and isolation of Alzheimer’s, increase meaningful community engagement and quality of life for people with the disease, and teach communities to become more accommodating and knowledgeable about dementia.
• $67,079 to Mulberry Gardens, to purchase equipment and improve the gym area to expand the Good Life Fitness program for seniors.
• $54,000 to The Hospital of Central Connecticut, to repurpose existing medical office space at 98 Main Street in Southington into an outpatient behavioral health clinic.

Grants to continue programs were awarded as follows:

• $80,000 to Hartford HealthCare at Home, to provide an integrated care approach for Southington seniors which includes a geriatrician, geriatric pharmacist, behavioral health assessments, certified homecare specialist for patients with dementia and a tele-monitoring program.
• $80,000 to Wheeler Clinic, to continue the Southington Health Outreach Project, which enhances access to mental health and substance abuse programs by educating residents about the signs of these issues and the services available.
• $35,000 to the Alzheimer’s Resource Center of Connecticut, Inc., to support Hope Full Lives, a community-based program designed to increase caregiver positive mental health and well-being by providing support groups, individual and family coaching, skill-building workshops and respite activities for people with Alzheimers.

“We are thrilled to be announcing over $431,000,” said Susan Sadecki, President & CEO of the Community Foundation. “We are honored to carry out Bradley Barnes’ legacy through these important health initiatives.”

All grant proposals are reviewed by the nine person volunteer Advisory Committee for the Barnes Memorial Trust. The Advisory Committee is comprised of Southington residents and professionals who conduct site visits of each organization and make final funding recommendations to the Community Foundation’s Board of Directors. “The Advisory Committee’s thoughtful review of all proposals to ensure feasibility, sustainability and impact as well as their commitment to honoring donor intent is unmatched,” stated Sadecki.

Barnes Memorial Trust Accepting Letters of Intent
Beginning January 15, the Bradley Henry Barnes & Leila Upson Barnes Memorial Trust is accepting letters of intent from nonprofit organizations serving the Southington community for capital projects, programs or initiatives that will enhance the health and wellbeing of Southington residents.

The proposed capital project, program or initiative must address one or more of the following identified community health and health care focus areas:

• Access and affordability to health care;
• Mental health and substance use;
• Supports to meet the health and health care needs of an aging population;
• Better integrated health care (especially the integration of primary and behavioral health, including initiatives that promote a healthy lifestyle).

The deadline for submission is February 9, 2018 at 4 p.m. Interested 501(c)(3) organizations are required to contact Jarre Betts, Vice President of Programs, or Kate Kerchaert, Program Officer, at 860.583.6363 before submitting a letter of intent. Full guidelines, eligibility criteria and links to the online application are available on the Foundation’s website.